Kindred Review
What does a book expert think: Get a comprehensive overview of the reception and review of Kindred.
Article written by Victor Onuorah
Degree in Journalism from University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
With compelling stories and plot lines which have a direct focus on racism and social segregation, ‘Kindred’ is one book that is still widely appreciated today. In 2003, the book won the Rochester book of the year award for its impact on racial advocacy.
Key Facts about Kindred
- Book Title: ‘Kindred’
- Writer: Octavia Estelle Butler
- Publisher: Doubleday
- Publishing Date: 1979
- Language: English
- Setting: 1976, Altadena, California. 1800s Maryland.
- Page: 264
- Perspective: First-person
- Climax: Dana stabs Rufus to death and returns to the present day after he tries to rape her.
- Genre: Science fiction, horror. Historical fiction.
Octavia E. Butler and Kindred
’Kindred’ is a very complicated book being that it cuts through multi genres – including history, horror, and science fiction. For the history part, the book details significant events of the antebellum era and the whole madness accruable to typical war times.
The slavery aspect gives the book a bit of a horror angle, and frankly, readers should expect to do more than merely read the text but also have an open mind about feeling the deep pains felt by the victimized characters in the book. From merciless whiplash to forced labor to nonconsensual concubinage down to blatant rape, ‘Kindred’ might easily be passed off as horror.
For the science fiction part, Octavia E. Butler added the time travel plot twist to ‘Kindred’ to make it more of a classic sci-fi sub-genre as Dana travels into the past on several occasions at the first sign of danger to her ancestor Rufus.
For Butler, ‘Kindred’ is much more than just science fiction but partly a rendition of her experiences and struggles – along with those of her mother and aunties, all because of a social disparity that heavily existed between the different human races and skin colors.
Books Related to Kindred
‘Kindred’ is a unique book that tackles head-on the hard topics of racism and other interracial relationships, but beyond that, it mostly favors the very popular and competitive science fiction genre.
More than fifty years ago, Butler walked into the already saturated genre knowing fully well the legacy and reputation previously set by great writers like H. G. Wells and Jonathan Swift and that leaving any meaningful mark meant she would have to put up her A game. And she did that precisely and is today acclaimed as one of the pioneering writers in the genre.
There are a good number of books that are similar to ‘Kindred’, and one of such books is H. G. Wells’ ‘ The Time Machine’ for it utilizes the idea of traveling back and forth through time. Still, there exists a vast pool of similar books, and the aforementioned is merely just one good related book amongst many of such kind.
The Lasting Impact of Kindred
‘Kindred’ is a brave book that describes the impact of racial discrimination in the southern part of the United States many years ago, and it does so through the eyes of a 20th-century black woman who travels back in time to experience such impact. Her experience with the past in which she travels helps her understand her present reality and why things are the way they are.
Although the book is a science fiction built around the history and timelines of slavery in America, there are undoubtedly some vital messages beneath that the writer wanted to pass across to readers.
One of such messages is the fact that it reminds the readers that even though slavery has been stopped a long time ago, it’s still in some way managed to creep into today’s society and it’s now become more systemic rather than physical. Such a reminder then calls for a deliberate pooling of resources to ultimately unite all human races.
Kindred Themes and Analysis
Unlock the hidden meanings: Dive deeper into the central themes and symbolism, and analysis of Kindred.
Kindred Summary
Kindred in a nutshell: A quick overview of the essential plot points, characters, and ideas.
Kindred Character List
Get to know the characters: Understand the characters in Kindred.
Kindred Historical Context
Setting the scene for Kindred: Understand the time and place that inspired its creation and relevance.
Kindred Quotes
The words that resonate: Find memorable quotes from Kindred that capture its essence of the book.
About Victor Onuorah
Degree in Journalism from University of Nigeria, Nsukka.